Criminal ~ Shoey

Chapter 16 - Realizations.

Chapter 16 - Realizations.

* Shane's POV *

Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto was a nicer hotel than the one we had before, Surprisingly. 

After Joey settled down, We decided to go find another hotel for the night to be as far away from Sawyer as we could. So we gathered up our new suitcases and drove only about fifteen minutes before we found the Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto. It was a crazy nice hotel. Too bad we probably wouldn't stay here for long. Joey and I didn't talk much on the drive over here but the one thing he did mention was leaving Rome. It made me sad... I mean, we just got here. And it was a crazy cool city plus we'd both been looking forward to living here. But we both knew it had to be done if we were ever going to get away from Sawyer for good.

We got a room here pretty quickly and as soon as we were done checking it out, We both climbed into bed. Joey was thrilled that they had a Hulu+ account set up on the TV and it had all of his favorite anime series on it. I was more than willing to let him watch this creepy Japanese stuff. As long as he was getting back to normal. He was starting to scare me for awhile back there. 

While Joey wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer, putting on some show called Fruits Basket, I was chewing my lower lip thoughtfully. I didn't understand something. Why wasn't I revelling in the fact that Sawyer had said some things nearly identical to things my dad would say? It struck me as crazy of how much they sounded alike... But it didn't mean anything. It didn't mean Sawyer would come for me... Or hurt me.. Worse. 

I shivered, feeling the pressure of the knife pressing into my throat all over again. My hands found my neck; rubbing the sore skin tenderly. Joey must've noticed because he paused the show and planted a kiss on my temple. "Hey... baby, are you okay?" I nodded though it was a total lie. I just didn't understand why Sawyer hated me so much. "Liar." Joey said. I looked up at him to meet his eyes. "What's on your mind?" He asked as I dropped my hands from my neck. "Nothing.. just..." I trailed off and Joey promptly lifted an eyebrow. "Just?" 

I sighed and looked down. "I think Sawyer's in love with you." There. I said it. 

His fingers found my chin as he tilted my face up and his lips were on mine in an instant. Why? I didn't know. Maybe he felt the need to prove that he was all mine. After a minute of being stiff, I finally kissed back. The kiss was soft, and it stayed that way. If only we didn't need to breath. Joey leaned his forehead against mine as we just stared in eachother's eyes. I don't think I'd ever seen a prettier hue of green. "I love you." Joey whispered, almost as if he was afraid if he spoke any louder it would wake up the whole hotel. But when I said "I love you, too." I just so happened to whisper as well. 

"I don't want to leave Rome." I said; telling another confession and making another realization. Joey smiled slightly. "Me either." I pecked his lips quickly before I spoke again. "What about Sawyer?" Joey's smile disappeared instantly, replaced by a scowl. "If I ever see him again... I'll kill him." He spat, turning away from me. I frowned. Gripping his chin gently, I forced him to look at me again. "Joey... No. You won't... You aren't a killer." I really shouldn't have said that. I didn't want him to get emotional again, I just wanted him to be the Joey I loved. But now I've screwed it up.

His eyes darkened. "I wasn't a criminal, either. I was the good guy. The kid next door that everyone could count on. Nobody would've thought this would be the path I'd chosen. You don't understand how much I hate myself. I'm a monster, I ruin everyone's lives, including my own." He was speaking so calm. It scared me. "Joey, you don't mean that. You don't hate yourself. Sawyer made you go along with it, It isn't your fault--" Joey cut me off. "Yes it is! It is my fault because I didn't have to do that first robbery with Sawyer! But I did, and look where it got me! How can you love me?! I'm a horrible person!" Joey was shouting now and I was afraid someone would complain. We definitely didn't need to be kicked out of a hotel. "You aren't a horrible person, Joey. You're an amazing person. You're beautiful, You're bubbly, You're real." 

"People who do terrible things... Are just terrible people." He said, looking at his lap. "I'm in love with you." There goes another confession.. and realization. "How? I'm an insane, horrible monster. I'm mean and vicious and rotten and self conceded.." I spoke over his long list of decieving's. "I love you, Joey. I'm in love with you. You're amazing, you're strong, anybody would be lucky to have the privilege to get to know you, You've done outrageous things but that only shows how unpredictable you are. You're hilarious, you're good, you're pure and I'm in love with you." His eyes met mine again. "Prove it." He sounded like he was pleading.. almost desperate. "W-what?" I stuttered. I couldn't believe he'd just said that. Did he mean...?

"Prove it." He said again, his voice unbelieving. He sounded like he thought he was dreaming. Like this couldn't have been happening; no way in a million years. And I knew that.. Because I'd felt like that when I met him. And the first time we kissed. And the first time he told me he loved me. And I knew that I had to do this. And there was no one else on earth that I'd rather be doing it with. 

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So... I had to end this here. xD I'll continue directly from where I left off in the next chapter, though ;) btw, sorry this chapter sucks.. I didn't like it, so it's okay if you didn't either.

So I just posted a new story that I'd gotten an idea for & written.. ^~^ It'd mean a lot to me if you'd check it out. :3 It's called Cheater, Cheater. (Shoey.) If you guys think I should continue it, I'll update it like I do this one & The Shoey Diaries. (': Thank You if you do check it out. c:

Thanks for Reading & Voting; May the odds be ever in your favor, gooodbye! cx 

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